The right-hander has been impressive, enhancing his chances of making the opening day roster.
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) – Robert Person is making the Boston Red Sox decision on which pitchers make the opening day roster more difficult.
Person, a right-hander who signed a minor league contract with the Red Sox earlier this spring, threw 24 pitches and allowed one hit over two scoreless innings in a 6-3 split-squad loss to the New York Yankees on Thursday night, enhancing his chances of making the opening day roster.
Making that decision is a dilemma that manager Grady Little relishes.
“It’ll be tough, but there are some good choices, so that makes it a good kind of decision,” Little said on Friday. “We’re looking forward to it.”
Person has pitched just three innings this spring, but has given up just one hit and no earned runs.
Last year he was 4-5 with a 5.44 ERA in 16 starts for the Phillies but is trying to come back from offseason shoulder and elbow surgery on his throwing arm. He could help out as a starter or long reliever, Little said.
Boston’s rotation appears set with Pedro Martinez, Derek Lowe, Tim Wakefield, Casey Fossum and John Burkett. Barring injury, Ramiro Mendoza, Alan Embree, Bobby Howry, Mike Timlin and Chad Fox should be in the bullpen. Others competing for spots are Frank Castillo, Ryan Rupe, and Rule 5 draftees Javier Lopez and Matt White.
The most encouraging thing, as far as Person is concerned, is that he feels good the day after pitching. His goal all spring has been to make the major league roster.
“I’ve been working hard all offseason and spring and that’s my goal,” he said. “I don’t see any problems slowing it down.”
Little wants to see Person gradually stretch his pitch count and work more innings.
“He’s got to build his arm strength and resiliency and hopefully he’ll get that done and give us a choice to make,” Little said. “So far we’ve seen nothing to hold him back.”
Person wants to be a starter in Boston, but he said he is prepared to come out of the bullpen, and would even start the season at Triple-A Pawtucket if necessary.
“I’d like to be a starter, but whatever position opens up,” he said. “Wherever I can fit in at the time, that’s fine. If it’s in relief, that’s fine.”
Person, 33, is 51-42 with a 4.60 ERA in parts of eight seasons with the New York Mets, Toronto and Philadelphia. He’s had 135 starts in 199 major-league games.
He said he pitched with shoulder problems in 2000 and 2001 but still was 15-7 with a 4.19 ERA with the Phillies in 2001.
He has an option in his contract that would allow him to seek work with another organization if he does not make the Red Sox major league roster by a certain date, but said he is unlikely to exercise that option.
“I feel good about this organization, and if I feel like I need to go (to Pawtucket) then that shouldn’t be problem,” he said.
Little could not say whether Person would be used as a starter or in long relief, but said he would help somewhere.
“This guy certainly looks like he may be able to be an effective pitcher for us right away,” Little said. “He’s in competition to be on our club. He’s throwing the ball awfully well.”
AP-ES-03-14-03 1547EST
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